GALESBURG, Ill. — The lights are in place, the power is on, and the Knox College men's and women's soccer teams are ready to host the first outdoor night games on campus in Prairie Fire history. They will get that opportunity next week against long-time rival Monmouth College on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.

The men's soccer team (5-2-3, 1-1 MWC) will entertain the Fighting Scots (3-4-2, 0-2 MWC) on Tuesday at 7 p.m., while the women (3-5-2, 0-2 MWC) will have their turn under the lights against Monmouth (5-3-2, 1-0-1 MWC) on Wednesday, also at 7 p.m.

The addition of lights directly addresses a long-standing need for the college's men's and women's soccer programs, which share the field for training, and was made possible through funds generated from a bond issuance solidified last May, a portion of which is dedicated to capital improvements.

In designing the system, Knox prioritized responsible stewardship of the surrounding environment. The field lights have been carefully shielded to minimize glare and prevent light spill beyond the field's property, helping protect neighbors and preserving the clarity of the night sky for the college observatory.

The lighting of the field also opens the door for expanded opportunities beyond varsity athletics. Knox is working toward community agreements that will allow use by campus club sports and other student organizations, with an understanding of the impact on neighbors and campus facilities.

For fans that are unable to be at these historic events, the games will be streamed live through the Knox portal on Hudl, the official streaming network of the Prairie Fire, at https://watchmidwestsports.com/knox.